Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 & 2 vs. Skate 3

Skating is making a comeback. From traditional popsicle decks and longboards to rollerblades and Razor scooters, rookies and pros of all ages are pounding the pavement. In an effort to beat the oppressive heat and potential injury, many are looking to shred in the meta and wonder which game to buy.

The objective is roughly the same across the board; more tricks equal more points, and longer lines equal higher total scores. While many recent games like Session and Skater XL devote their development to dual stick mechanics and grounded style, the skating games of ere sport easier and faster gameplay.

Each series on the market has unique advantages and disadvantages, and it’s worthwhile to purchase them all. But if you’re balling on a budget or aren’t looking to sink countless hours on multiple titles, this article will walk you through the specs of each.

Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 & 2

Originally released for the PS1 and Game Boy Advance, Tony Hawk remasters and combines the first two Pro Skater titles for next-gen compatibility. The 2020 release from Activision is supported on all current consoles including Nintendo Switch (excluding PC).

With artwork more dreamy than traditional pop-punk, the arcade-style gameplay captures all the vibrancy of today’s commercial skate culture while remaining to the classics. Don’t worry, you’ll still get an in-game playlist full of Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy, and the like.

Tricks in this game are performed using button combinations and joystick gestures (think Mortal Kombat) and are supported by smooth, seamless haptics. True to the authentic grind, each trick has several necessary components in order to stick a clean landing. Though the maps are from THPS 1 & 2, tricks from later in the series are also included, such as quick reverts and wallplants.

My main gripe is the auto-push feature, which can’t be configured or turned off. Your character rolls continually throughout the map with the camera rolling around almost aimlessly, making it difficult to set up certain tricks and stunts. You can stop by pulling back on the joystick, but there’s no ability to rotate on your tail, and sooner or later gravity takes effect.

Completing objectives will earn you cash to spend customizing your character and skateboard. You can choose from Bones, Shake Junt, Adidas, and of course, Birdhouse merchandise to live vicariously through your virtual profile.



Create a Park is a self-explanatory sandbox mode where players are given an expansive lot to create their dream skatepark. Here you can experiment with dynamic props, bowls, gaps, and ramps, which can be customized by shape, size, material, and color.

The game includes all 21 professional skaters from the original titles, including characters from newer games such as Leticia Bufoni, Nyjah Huston, and Riley Hawk.

It’s easy to see how the remaster sold over 1 million copies in the first week. The precedent had been set since the late 90s, and the new developers delivered the exact niche fans were hoping for.

Skate 3

Let’s face it: Tony Hawk is skateboarding. He will always be skateboarding. His video games, skateboards, and merchandise have been selling themselves since the days of the Bones Brigade. As a vert skater, the maps of the former titles center on transition skating, but the Skate series seems to draw a different crowd.

This game was released in 2010; this was the year of Halo: Reach and Red Dead Redemption. Though older than Pro Skater Remastered by a decade, the Skate hasn’t aged a day.

EA sometimes gets a dodgy reputation in terms of sports titles, but don’t worry about microtransactions. This game isn’t delegated to EA Sports, separating it from titles like 2K or Madden.

If you're looking for a street style environment with unique AI characters, Skate 3 implements interactive skaters and pedestrians that are more than just obstacles.

The full version of the game features celebrity skaters Andrew Reynolds, Chris Cole, Darren Navarette, Danny Way, and Rob Dyrdek. In skate.school you’ll be instructed by original character Coach Frank, who also provides loading screen tips.

Compared to Tony Hawk, Skate 3 is more grounded in every way except for the controls. Most tricks can be executed with a single flick of the thumb, and rotations are controlled with the left joystick. Every trick from ollies and pop-shuvs to kickflips, heelflips, and hardflips are performed with the right joystick.

You can start with the basics like acid drops and roll ins and still get variety with lip tricks like tail stalls. The haptics are grittier too, giving a sensation as realistic as virtual skating can be. In this game you have more control over speed and timing.

There is one major drawback for next-gen users: You’ll need X-Box Live Gold to access online features. Otherwise, you’re stuck in freeplay mode and can only access skate.school. You won’t have many customization options, either. Your generic male skater wears a generic white t-shirt through varying degrees of use.

If so many features are inaccessible, then what makes the game worth the purchase? The freeskate map is expansive in itself. Skateparks aside, you can bomb hills, traffic-filled streets, and navigate up and around buildings. My personal favorite is the Spillway Entrance in the Industrial District, where you can catch big air and reach high speeds.

Skate 4 isn’t that far out, and the series appears to be headed in the right direction. When it drops, I’ll be the first to snag it off the shelf.

Conclusion

As you can see, the age gap between the titles makes for somewhat of an apples-to-oranges comparison. All of these games have a way of sucking you in. The best part is how they don’t try to steal from one another but stay true to their respective niche.

If you’re looking for the most expansive game, Tony Hawk gives you the most bang for your buck. But if you prefer the mechanics of street skating, Skate 3 is worth consideration. In the end, it comes down to style and preference.